“Send me your schedule. I’m gonna do my best to make it to at least one.”
“Alright.”
We’re both quiet, and I know I need to let him go and get back inside to Chloe. “Proud of you. Stay out of trouble, and I’ll call ya later.”
“Right-o, daddy-o.”
“Fucker.”
That gets a laugh out of him and makes me feel less like an old man.
I pocket my phone and head back into Chloe’s dorm. The girls barely look up at my re-entry. Chloe looks me over like she’s trying to determine my mood. Frustrated as hell, baby doll.
My shower time earlier didn’t do jack to stop me from wanting her. In fact, I think it did the opposite. I let my mind go crazy with possibilities and now I can’t stop picturing her doing every dirty thing she did in my fantasies.
“We were going to watch an episode of New Girl. You wanna stay?”
I glance at our half-finished marketing plan, and she follows my gaze. “I’ll finish it later.”
I know this concession is for her roommates—putting off homework so she can do what they want, and it pisses me off a little for her.
“I should go. I have some other things to do.” I nod to her laptop. “Email me what you have so far.”
“Oh, sure.” Her brows furrow in confusion. Probably because I haven’t questioned a thing she’s done on the project. I’ve let her take the lead and, to be honest, do most of the work. Aware that the roommates are watching now, I lean down and lift her chin so I can place a kiss on her lips. “Later.”
I’m buried in demographics and sales numbers for this stupid pen that I can’t imagine anyone wanting when my phone pings with a text notification. I rub at my eyes and close Joel’s laptop.
Chloe: You missed a great episode.
Fuck, I’ve been at it for two hours. Which means…
Me: Admit it, you watched more than one. Traitor.
Chloe: I didn’t exactly have control of the remote. They’re going to watch one more. Want me to wait and watch with you?
Me: Nah, go ahead.
Only a few minutes pass before she sends me another.
Chloe: What are you doing?
Me: Thinking about going to bed. Might go for a run first.
Chloe: A run before bed??
Me: Relaxes me, helps me fall asleep.
I leave out the fact it sometimes helps keep me asleep all night.
Me: What do you do when you can’t fall asleep?
Chloe: The usual. Count sheep, read a book, watch porn, listen to music.
Me: Whoa, whoa, whoa. You watch porn to help you sleep?
Chloe: Just checking to see if you were paying attention.
Me: To you? Always.
Me: Now back to my question.
Chloe: Having a roommate makes watching porn a little awkward.
Me: Bummer, I hadn’t thought of that. I myself enjoyed some erotica earlier today.
I’m afraid I’ve overshared when she hasn’t responded two minutes later. I’m about to turn my phone on silent for the night when a text finally appears on screen.
Chloe: Let me guess, lesbian porn?
Me: Nope.
Chloe: Gang bang?
Jesus Christ, I’m getting worked up just thinking about her sitting in her dorm tapping out those words.
Me: Nah, standard dude with chick porn. Sorry to disappoint, you freak.
Chloe: To each their own, I suppose.
A part of me, a very large, throbbing, hard part of me wants to push the conversation further. We’re only a few texts away from sexting. But this isn’t how I want to do this. I like Chloe, and I don’t want to be relegated to sexting and kisses when her roommates are watching.
Me: Night, freak. Talk to you tomorrow.
Chloe: Okay, well happy running and sweet dreams.
I hold my breath as I re-read it a dozen times. She’s hit a nerve and has no idea. Such an innocent sign off, but for me, it’s filled with all types of hope and promise. When I snap out of my shock, I respond in kind.
Me: Sweet dreams, Surfer Princess.
I push away from my desk and stare at my bed. Sweet dreams? Nah, that’s not likely.
14
Chloe
I’m studying in the library Friday night when Camila FaceTimes.
“Hey, stranger,” she says when I answer.
“I know, I’m sorry things have been crazy.”
“You’ll be forgiven if you promise to come visit for my birthday next month.”
I stare at her hopeful face and feel guilty for hesitating.
“Please, Chlo. I miss you. JT’s throwing a party for me, and I need my best girl there.”
“Of course, I’ll come.”
“Yay!” she squeals, and I turn the volume down on my headphones. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me, too.”
“Where are you anyway?”
“Oh.” I glance around and give her a sheepish smile. “The library.”
“On a Friday night? Are the roommates still being bitches?”
“No, actually that’s gotten better. I’m just catching up on some school stuff.”
I’m staring at the screen and listening to Camila tell me about her plans for the night so I don’t notice as he approaches, but when Nathan takes the seat in front of me, I almost drop my phone.
He’s in his standard solid-colored t-shirt and jeans, but his hair isn’t in its usual disarray. In fact, I think there might be gel in it.
“Hey, Cam,” I interrupt her. “I gotta go. Can I call you tomorrow?”
“Yep, I’m heading out anyway. Love ya.”
“Love you, too.”
I take my earbuds out slowly. “Hi.”
“What’s up?” The man doesn’t have any books with him—not even a backpack to give the impression he might be here to study. We didn’t make any plans for the night so to say I’m surprised he found me without so much as a text to ask where I was or what I was doing is an understatement.
“I’m studying. What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
A pleased smirk plays on his face, and his blue eyes twinkle with mischief. “I figured you were one of three places. Just happened to get lucky on my first stop. And I’m here to save you from spending a Friday night at the library.” He leans in. “Doesn’t look good for your image.”
I snort, lean back in my chair, and cross my arms. “And whatever you have in mind will be good for my image?”
He stands. “I thought we already established being seen with me was good for you.” He points a thumb toward his chest. “Hot and awesome.”
He’s one hundred percent accurate there, but I still don’t move.
“Come on, princess. It’ll be fun.”
With a quick look around the library, I realize I don’t want or need to be here. School has never been particularly hard for me, and the library is really more of a hideout. Plus, spending time with Nathan sounds better than just about anything else I can think of.
“Alright.”
He takes my backpack after I’ve loaded it up with my laptop and books. His long legs hurry down the stairs and across campus at a clip. My stomach is a little uneasy when I realize we’re headed to my dorm room. Things have been better with the roommates, but I still tense up every time I walk through the door until I gauge their mood toward me.
“Are we hanging here tonight?” I ask as I unlock my dorm room.
“Nope,” he says, sounding very proud of himself. “Just wanted to drop your stuff and pick up something.”
“What?” His excitement is contagious, and I’m smiling while I try and figure out the plan.
“A roommate or two.”
I flash him a confused look that is more than a little jealous at the prospect he might be interested in one of my roommates. Maybe I’m not ready to date him for real, but I don’t like the idea of him dating anyone else either. Hypocrite much?
He shakes his head. “
I can only handle one girlfriend, don’t worry. Shaw likes Sydney, so I thought we could bring her along.”
“What if she says no?”
“She won’t.”
I take my backpack from him and open the door, walking into the living room where Sydney and Emily are watching TV.
“Hey, guys,” I say.
“Hey,” they respond in unison, staring past me to Nathan.
He breezes past me like he owns the place and takes a seat in my chair. This continues to please me.
“I think I’ve seen this one,” he says by way of greeting. “Is this the episode where—”
“Don’t give it away,” Emily interrupts. “Sydney hasn’t seen it yet.”
“Ooooh, right.” He pretends to zip his lips, and they all fall silent watching the show.
Shaking my head at how easy it is for him to win people over with little to no effort, I walk toward my room. “I’m gonna get changed.”
“Where are you going?” Sydney calls after me.
Nathan answers, “The Hideout. You guys wanna come?”
I can’t hear their response, but not a minute later, Sydney rushes into our room pulling out her ponytail and grabbing the dry shampoo from the top of her dresser.
“Coming with us, I presume?” I smile but a small part of me is annoyed at how Nathan was able to march into my dorm and make plans with my roommates. I know he’s doing it for me, but it still rankles that they like him better than me. I’m their teammate after all.
She nods. “Are any of his friends going to be there?”
I keep my back to her as I pull on fresh clothes and examine myself in the mirror. “I think Shaw is going.”
“Really?!” She squeals in obvious delight.
“Is Emily coming, too?”
“No, she’s waiting for Bri to get back. They’re going to Mallory’s apartment to hang tonight.”
There’s a knock on my door. “You guys about ready?” Nathan calls from the other side. “Shaw’s swinging by to pick us up.”
Sydney has already transformed herself for a night out and flings open the door. She passes Nathan, and he steps into my room, glancing around before his eyes lock on me.
“How did you pull this off so well?”
“Wasn’t really that hard. Shaw’s got game apparently.”
“She didn’t even know he was going. I think you’re the one with game.”
He shakes his head and runs a hand over his jaw. Now that I’m studying him closer, I think he cleaned up his facial hair, too. He still has the scruff, but it looks cleaner… like he put some effort into this fake date.
I glance down at what I’m wearing. Jeans and a black midriff tank top. I suddenly wish I’d put on a dress and added some eye makeup. “Am I dressed okay?”
“You look great,” he says, giving me a once over that makes my stomach flip and motions with his head. “Come on. They’re waiting for us.”
The Hideout is busy when we arrive. We grab a booth and Sydney and Shaw slide in opposite us without any prompting. I can’t help but notice they look more like a real couple than Nathan and I do—turned toward each other, laughing and talking—all smiles for one another.
Tanner Shaw is a good-looking guy. He’s not as tall or built as Nathan, but that’s true of basically every other guy I know. They’ve both got blue eyes and light hair, but nothing about Shaw makes me look twice. And everything about Nathan makes me want to never stop looking.
“Gabby working tonight?” Shaw asks, looking around. Families and couples are seated at booths in the dining area, but the bar space is almost entirely Valley U students. Some I recognize and others give it away with their frat letters across their chests.
“Nah, she’s out of town visiting Zeke,” Nathan answers and places a hand on my leg under the table.
I want to ask him who Gabby is, but Shaw asked so casually I think I should know so I pretend I do and stay silent.
“What are we drinking?” Sydney asks, smiling so big I think her face might start to hurt. I love that about her—she wears her heart on her sleeve while I keep mine buried under layers of sweaters like Joey in that Friends episode where the girl he’s dating repeatedly punches him. Except my layers are metaphorical and so are the punches to my heart I’m trying to avoid.
“I’m gonna grab a pitcher. Be right back.” Shaw stands. “Want anything else, babe?” he asks Sydney.
Babe. The endearment rolls off Shaw’s tongue so easily. I steal a glance at Nathan, and he rolls his eyes playfully at how quickly they’ve slipped into couple mode.
“I’ll come with you.” Sydney follows behind Shaw, leaving Nathan and me by ourselves.
He smiles, straight white teeth contrasting with the hard angles and scruff on his jaw. “You want something to drink besides beer?”
“Beer’s fine,” I say. “I’m not a big drinker. My tolerance is shit.”
“I may have noticed that,” he says and places his arm around the back of the booth. His fingers brush against my shoulder, and I lean into his touch and angle myself like Sydney did with Shaw.
Instead of outright asking about Gabby, I decide to vaguely inquire about his dating history. “Have you and Shaw gone on a lot of double dates?”
He laughs. “Nah, definitely not. I think this might be my first double date ever, come to think of it.”
“But you’ve dated a lot?” I avert my eyes and pretend to be very interested in looking around the bar while I wait for his answer.
“Not really. My life was a bit of a mess before I met you.”
Something about coinciding with a positive change in his life makes me happy. Really happy.
Shaw and Sydney return with a pitcher and glasses. Taking a glass and pouring a beer, Nathan slides it in front of me with a wink. He pours one for himself, too, but doesn’t immediately take a drink.
Sydney carries the conversation through my first beer. She and Shaw are getting to know each other, too, so it’s easy and natural for Nathan and me to add input without it seeming like we don’t know the other like someone in a relationship would. But surprisingly I know, or have deduced, more than I thought. Surface level stuff, but it’s something.
We finish the pitcher and then take an Uber back to their place. Datson is playing video games in the living room, and Shaw heads straight for him. “I demand a rematch from this afternoon. You want winner, Payne?”
Nathan shakes his head. “Gonna hang with my girl.”
Sydney has already parked herself next to Shaw on the couch.
“It’s fine,” I insist and take a seat in an oversized chair.
“Want something to drink?” he asks, looking at me.
I nod, and he disappears into the kitchen. He returns a minute later and squeezes into the chair with me. He positions us so I’m basically on his lap. One arm is around my waist and the other holds his beer.
Every word, every laugh, every movement from him amps up my awareness of him in new ways. Yes, I know we’ve already slept together, but it’s a blur—a tangle of moments. Good moments, if I’m honest, but they’re still just pieces of him through Everclear glasses. And let’s be real, Everclear glasses are foggy as fuck.
“Damn. I’ve never seen anyone lose so fast.” Datson punches Shaw in the arm and then looks to Nathan. “You’re up.”
I start to move, but Nathan tightens his hold. “Shaw, toss me the controller.”
“You think you’re going to win with one arm?” Datson raises a brow.
“Nah, two arms and Bo Jackson.” He leans over the arm of the chair and places his beer on the floor and then sits up and wraps both of his long arms around me so that he can get both hands on the controller.
“I could move,” I say quietly, turning my head and finding his mouth so close I can smell the faint scent of beer and the mint gum he chewed on the ride back from The Hideout.
He keeps his eyes on the screen, but his arms squeeze tighter. “Don’t you dare. I’ve got you rig
ht where I want you.”
I’m not sure if the last part is meant for me or Datson as I hear the latter groan, “Fucking Bo Jackson.”
I sit forward suddenly, breaking his hold. He raises a brow in question.
“I’ve gotta pee,” I announce, not so eloquently before fleeing and putting some much-needed space between us.
Sydney is two steps behind me and when I get to the bathroom and go to close the door, she calls out, “Wait up.”
She follows and locks the door behind us.
“I don’t really have to pee,” I say when she looks at me like she’s waiting for me to use the toilet.
She moves past me and pulls up her dress. I turn and give her some privacy, staring into the mirror at my flushed cheeks. When she’s done, she joins me at the sink.
“You’re staying over with Nathan tonight, right?” she asks as she adds another coat of gloss to her lips.
“I don’t know. Nathan and I haven’t talked about it. I’m not sure what he has going on tomorrow.”
Which is all mostly true.
“The thing is, if you leave then I have to leave, too, but if you stay then it’s just assumed I will.”
“You really like Shaw that much?”
“Oh, I’m not going to sleep with him tonight.”
“No judgment.” I hold my hands up and smile.
“I’m a fifth date kind of girl,” she says and smacks her lips in the mirror.
“Won’t he assume differently if you stay tonight?” I ask with light laughter.
The Fake: A College Sports Romance (Smart Jocks #4) Page 10